Pro Politics with Zac McCrary Massachussetts Political Legend Tom O'Neill III
Tom O'Neill is a legendary political figure in his own right - operative, legislator, statewide official, government relations juggernaut - and is, of course, the eldest son of former US House Speaker Tip O'Neill. In this conversation, Tom talks early memories growing up in a political household, lessons from his father, time spent around figures like John Kennedy and Ted Kennedy, the ups and downs of his own political career, and great stories and insights as an observer and participant at the highest level of politics.
IN THIS EPISODE
Early memories, political and otherwise, growing up in North Cambridge, MA in the 1940s and 50s…
The impact of Tom’s mother Millie on his father’s and his own political career…
The role opposing the Vietnam War played in his father’s career…
Remembering the “last of the great Irish vs Italian” primaries when Tip O’Neil replaced John Kennedy in the US House…
The impact of his grandfather Tom O’Neill Sr…
Breaking down the political skills and career of Tip O’Neill…
Tom recalls his time around John F. Kennedy…
Tom recounts running campaign for and with Ted Kennedy…
Tom talks the significance of another Massachusetts House Speaker, John McCormack…
Tom on his own path of running and winning political office…
Tom remembers the energy in the Massachusetts legislature of the 1970s…
Tom’s successful elections running for Lt Governor…
The story behind his final run for office in 1982…
How Tom was thinking of his future after being out of office before the age of 40…
Highlights and insights from nearly four decades in government affairs…
How close he came to running to succeed his father in 1986…
Tom talks the importance of the Big Dig in modernizing Boston…
Tom's recommendations of the best sites of Boston, including his favorite Irish pub and Italian restaurant…
AND American metaphors, Back Bay, Birch Bayh, Beacon Hill, the Bellevue Hotel, bocce courts, the Boston telephone directory, Jimmy Breslin, the Bricklayers Union, Brighton, Jimmy Carter, Silvio Conte, Charles De Gaulle, William Delahunt, Delaware North, the Department of Sewers, Paul Dever, Leo Diehl, Brian Donnelly, Mike Dukakis, Donald Dwight, Charlie Flaherty, Gerald Ford, Barney Frank, Newt Gingrich, the Green Necklace, Harvard, John Hume, Joe Kennedy, Ed King, Paul Kirk, Ed Markey, Joe McCarthy, Mike Neville, Middlesex County, Richard Nixon, Mrs. O’Brien, the Odessa Sea, old Italian matriarchs, Regulars, John Rhodes, FDR, Jimmy Roosevelt, Blanche Rufo, Fred Salvucci, Frank Sargent, Haile Selassie, self-righteousness, Al Smith, Sovereign Bank, steel jungles, street corner games, thumbing to Washington, Donald Trump, Paul Tsongas, Watergate, white Xs & more.